Principal Data Scientist Leader

Accenture Federal Services•Washington, DC

About The Position

At Accenture Federal Services, nothing matters more than helping the US federal government make the nation stronger and safer and life better for people. Our 13,000+ people are united in a shared purpose to pursue the limitless potential of technology and ingenuity for clients across defense, national security, public safety, civilian, and military health organizations. Join Accenture Federal Services, a technology company and part of global Accenture, to do work that matters in a collaborative and caring community, where you feel like you belong and are empowered to grow, learn and thrive through hands-on experience, certifications, industry training and more. Join us to drive positive, lasting change that moves missions and the government forward! You Are: We are seeking an experienced Principal Data Scientist Leader. This role focuses on designing and implementing robust data solutions for government clients while providing technical leadership on complex data initiatives. You'll work on critical projects, designing data architectures that enable mission success through advanced analytics, business intelligence, and emerging AI/ML capabilities while ensuring security, compliance, and scalability.

Requirements

7-10 years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or related roles
Proven track record of designing and implementing enterprise data solutions
Experience with business intelligence platforms and analytics solutions
Exposure to AI/ML projects and understanding of data requirements for machine learning
Strong expertise in data architecture patterns, methodologies, and best practices
Deep knowledge of relational and non-relational database technologies
Proficiency in data modeling (conceptual, logical, physical)
Experience with cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
Strong understanding of data integration patterns and ETL/ELT processes
Knowledge of data warehousing and analytics platforms
Familiarity with data governance, metadata management, and data quality frameworks
Proficiency in SQL and experience with scripting languages (Python, Shell)
Understanding of API design and microservices architectures
Experience designing data architectures for BI and reporting solutions
Familiarity with BI tools (Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, or similar)
Understanding of dimensional modeling and OLAP concepts
Knowledge of semantic layers and data visualization best practices
Experience with self-service analytics architectures
Understanding of data requirements for machine learning projects
Familiarity with ML frameworks and platforms (TensorFlow, PyTorch, SageMaker, Azure ML)
Knowledge of feature engineering and data preparation for ML models
Awareness of MLOps concepts and model deployment patterns
Experience designing data pipelines that support AI/ML workflows
Active Secret clearance minimum (TS/SCI preferred or ability to obtain)
Understanding of government security requirements, compliance frameworks, and accreditation processes
Knowledge of data classification and handling requirements
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to lead technical discussions and influence stakeholders
Experience managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments
Strong collaboration skills and ability to work across diverse teams
Strategic thinking with attention to implementation details

Nice To Haves

Government or highly regulated environment experience preferred

Responsibilities

Design and develop enterprise data architectures
Create data models, integration patterns, and information management strategies
Architect data foundations that support business intelligence, analytics, and AI/ML initiatives
Design secure data sharing and exchange architectures across classification boundaries
Support the evaluation and selection of data platforms, tools, and technologies
Create technical documentation, architecture diagrams, and design specifications
Design data architectures that support business intelligence and reporting requirements
Create data pipelines and feature stores to enable AI/ML model development and deployment
Architect analytics platforms that deliver actionable insights to mission stakeholders
Support the integration of AI/ML capabilities into operational systems
Design data strategies that balance traditional BI needs with emerging AI/ML use cases
Ensure data architectures support model training, validation, and production deployment
Lead technical discussions with client stakeholders to understand data, analytics, and AI/ML requirements
Present architecture solutions and recommendations to government technical teams
Support proposal development by contributing data architecture content and technical strategies
Build trusted relationships with client data and technology leaders
Translate complex data and AI/ML concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
Guide implementation teams in executing data architecture designs
Collaborate with data engineers, BI developers, data scientists, and analysts to deliver integrated solutions
Ensure solutions meet security, compliance, and performance requirements
Support data migration strategies and legacy system modernization efforts
Conduct architecture reviews and provide technical guidance throughout project lifecycle
Mentor junior architects, data engineers, and BI developers on best practices and design patterns
Contribute to internal knowledge sharing through documentation and presentations
Stay current with emerging data technologies, analytics platforms, AI/ML frameworks, and cloud capabilities
Support innovation initiatives and proof-of-concept development
Participate in technical communities and capability development efforts